Treadmill is key to fast-paced workout

When purchasing a treadmill for your home gym, it’s important to get off on the right foot. That means not only checking out the exercise machine’s construction and capabilities, but also determining how you will use it.

Will you be walking your daily one or two miles on it at a brisk clip? Or, will you be using it for some serious training and running on it for an hour or more a day?

“If you plan on running on a treadmill, you’ll need a more durable machine,” said Paul Jackson, owner of Fitness Mart in Pacific Beach. “A treadmill used by a runner will take more abuse from the constant (foot) pounding than (a treadmill) you’re just walking on.”

Here are some tips to help find the right treadmill:

• Motor max. You need enough horsepower or you’ll burn up the motor. Look for the “continuous duty rating,” the rating for steady, 24-hour motor usage. Shop for a 1.7- to 3-horsepower continuous-duty motor. Don’t worry about the “peak duty” or “treadmill duty” ratings. The heavier the person using the machine, the bigger the motor needs to be, particularly if running instead of walking.

• Speed and incline. All treadmills have a speed range. Look for one that goes up to 10 mph or 12 mph. Make sure your treadmill has the ability to incline, which will make you burn more calories. Get one that inclines at least 10 degrees; 15 degrees is better. You should be able to easily control the speed and incline from the console. The treadmill shouldn’t wobble at high elevations.

• Make sure it fits you. The belt should be wide and long enough for your stride. Although Consumer Reports recommends that belts be at least 16 inches wide, Jim Moore, senior manager of Busy Body Home Fitness in Encinitas, advises 20-inch-wide belts.

“I think the wider belts are just safer and more comfortable,” he said, noting that the taller you are, the longer belt you’ll need.

Make sure the treadmill can accommodate your weight. Every machine has a maximum weight limit.

• It should fit your space. Make sure you have plenty of room to house a treadmill. You want to have space around it for easy mount and dismount. You’ll need about 3 feet to 6 feet of space at the back.

Consider a folding treadmill, which can be stored under a bed or in a big closet when not in use. Make sure a folding model is sturdy while exercising on it and that it’s easy to fold, unfold and move.

• Get a better belt. Make sure the treadmill belt is thick and at least two-ply. Thinner belts tend to lose elasticity and slide off track. Quality belts should not require frequent maintenance or lubrication. Look for treadmills with self-lubricating belts.

• Resilience. A treadmill shouldn’t be too cushioned or bouncy, yet it should absorb some of the impact of your foot pounding. Walk and run on a variety to make sure your back, knees and ankles are comfortable.

• Silent strides. The treadmill should be fairly quiet, especially if you plan on watching TV while exercising.

“Test a treadmill at a very low speed. A good quality machine will be whisper quiet because it’s running efficiently. Cheaper ones will start to whine and surge at low speeds,” Jackson said.

• Electronic programming variety. To avoid boredom and keep your workout challenging, choose a model that has programmable and preset workouts to vary the intensity and incline. Be sure the model you choose offers enough programs to keep you motivated. All machines will have the option to set the workout manually.

• Controls. Make sure the controls are well labeled, easy to read and intuitive. The console should tell you your speed, how far you’re gone and how much time you want to walk or run.

• Bells and whistles. An increasing number of treadmills offer CD players, fans and LCD TV screens. While it’s handy having them all directly in front of you, keep in mind that getting any of them repaired can be costly and problematic. It can be cheaper and less hassle to just use your home TV, music and fan. If you like to read while on the treadmill, a book/magazine rack is handy. So is a water bottle holder.

Jackson warns that the extra gadgetry should be a secondary consideration. “Don’t get caught up with all the fancy things like iPod connections and hundreds of programs. Your first concern should be the quality of the product,” he said.

• Warranty. Make sure there is at least a one-year warranty on the motor. A three- to five-year warranty is better.

The life of an average- to good-quality treadmill is about 10 years when used routinely, Moore said.